Pages

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Beyond Autism Stereotypes

“So is it true that to bring on labor, Indian women drink a glass of water in which their MIL has dipped their toe”?

One of R’s lead therapists asks me breathlessly one day

She has just returned from adoption training and they are sensitizing them to the different cultures that they may adopt a child.

“Never heard of it?” I smile back “Maybe true in some part of India - India is a huge -it would be like me meeting the Amish people and then assuming that all Westerners avoided technology”

In the past I have been asked about baby throwing, eyeball eating ( thank you Indiana Jones) and elephant ownership( I wish ) .

Here is my problem with stereotypes.

While many are based in truth – none are completely true.

It’s the same with Autism stereotypes.

People who don’t know much about Autism will meet R will tell us “he does not seem really autistic at all .. he just seems different”

He does not seem ASD – to those that do not know Autism - because he does not fit the media stereotype of either the unhappy child in his own world or the intellectual savant that will help you win at cards

The media specializes in extremes and stereotypes

The reality ? Not so much

April is the month of Autism Awareness.

Many of my kind - Special needs mums and dads are sharing their stories

Each of our stories is different because the way Autism has so many versions and our kids have their own unique personalities

( Even though from a distance we look alike )

Because of the hard work of many organizations- Autism awareness today is different that Autism awareness 10 years ago.

We're Hopeful Parents...Are You?

Our kids have all kinds of special needs, mild to severe. Some of us grieve the loss of our children. We do the very best we can, which often takes a toll on us. We come here to share our feelings with other parents who understand. We're searching for every parent of a child with special needs. Welcome!